As Deputy Shatter is unavailable the question will fall. We have another matter to address.
Adjournment Debate. - Garda Investigations.
I will wait and give Deputy Shatter a chance. I believe he is delayed at a meeting.
Is Deputy Wallace taking the fisheries question?
It will be taken by the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine, Deputy Byrne.
Would it be helpful if I were to read the reply if the matter was moved by someone on behalf of Deputy Shatter?
Will Deputy Dukes ask the Minister to explain the circumstances surrounding the death of Sergeant John Eiffe?
Gladly, in the absence of Deputy Shatter. Will the Minister give as full an account as he can of what is known so far about the circumstances surrounding this tragic death?
I am grateful to Deputy Dukes for moving this motion. We live in a society where the death of a member of the police force in the course of duty remains profoundly shocking and a cause of great sadness in our community as a whole. Tonight we have the opportunity to place on the record of the House our appreciation of the service which John Eiffe rendered to the State as a dedicated member of the Garda Síochána. We are together in expressing our deepest condolences to his wife Lorraine, his children Andrew, Alison, Michelle and Rachel, all his wider family, his friends, and his colleagues in the Garda Síochána.
I know the House appreciates that I am particularly constrained in what I can say about the tragic events in Abbeyleix last Friday afternoon. Four people are facing charges in relation to this matter and I do not want to say anything which, however inadvertently or remotely, might impinge on the trial of those persons.
Subject to those constraints I can tell the House that I have been advised by the Garda authorities that, arising from specific targeting of criminal elements suspected of involvement in armed robberies throughout the country, on Friday 7 December 2001, as part of the ongoing investigation into such activity, Garda units were tasked with carrying out counter operations with the objective of apprehending those responsible.
Between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., as part of that operation, gardaí from specialist national units based in Dublin were on duty in Abbeyleix when three cars, occupied by those being targeted, arrived outside the Allied Irish Bank. Gardaí confronted these suspects and shots were discharged by a Garda unit, resulting in the death of one member of the Garda and minor injury to another.
In a follow-up search, a sawn-off shotgun, seven cartridges, a stun-gun, a bullet-proof vest, a balaclava, gloves, binoculars and walkie-talkie radios were recovered. Four people were arrested at the scene, two of whom received treatment for injuries sustained during the incident. All four were subsequently charged with criminal offences.
Within hours of the tragic events last Friday, the Garda Commissioner appointed Assistant Commissioner Kelly to investigate all the circumstances surrounding Detective Sergeant Eiffe's death. I have no doubt that the investigation will be thorough. While of its nature it must be pains taking, I know that the commissioner is anxious that it will be completed as quickly as possible.
The Commissioner has also made it clear that he is anxious that the findings of the investigation be put into the public domain. I will ensure that this House is informed of those findings as soon as it is practicable to so do. In this context, the House will appreciate that the timing of this may be partially contingent on the status of the cases which I mentioned are before the courts at present.
We need to await Assistant Commissioner Kelly's findings before we can make any judgments about this matter. I have no doubt that lessons learnt will be fully taken on board.
Members of the specialist Garda units involved carry out work – much of it by its nature unpublished – which is vital to protecting the security of the State and the safety of our community. I pay tribute to all members who serve in those units and assure them of our support at this tragic and traumatic time. Members of the Garda Síochána involved have been offered the assistance of counselling and welfare services.
At the removal in the church at Ratoath last evening the local curate, Fr. Crosbie, very eloquently attempted to console John Eiffe's family. I know I am speaking for the entire House when I say our thoughts are with the family and that it is right that the service which he gave selflessly to the community should be honoured here this evening. Fr. Crosbie said last night that this tragic and untimely death had cast a shadow of unspeakable sorrow over the parish. That shadow has been cast, too, over the wider community and this House. Detective Sergeant Eiffe's wife and family can forever be proud of the role he played in our nation's history. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.